India's must-win fourth Test against England in Manchester saw an alarming moment on Day 1. Rishabh Pant was forced to leave the field mid-innings after taking a painful blow to his foot. It happened in the 68th over of India's first innings.
It has sparked serious concern over the wicketkeeper-batter's availability for the rest of the match - and potentially the series. Pant was batting on 37 off 47 balls.
📲 Follow The Sporting News India on WhatsApp
He attempted an audacious reverse sweep to Chris Woakes but failed to connect cleanly. The ball struck his right foot on the toe and the immediate aftermath was worrying.
Pant collapsed in pain and struggled to stand. The England players went up in appeal for an lbw but replays showed a faint under-edge. Unfortunately for India, the bigger issue was Pant's injury.
More: No Rohit Sharma? Ravi Shastri names his top 5 greatest Indian cricketers of all time
Medical team rushes in as Pant clutches leg during 4th Test
With swelling and bleeding visible around his toe, India's physio rushed in to assess the damage. After a brief check, it became clear Pant couldn't continue.
A golf cart was driven onto the field and Pant was helped onto it, still clutching his leg and wincing in pain as the vehicle took him off the ground.
Rishabh Pant is driven off the field of play after suffering some severe swelling on his right foot and Ravindra Jadeja walks out to the middle... 🩹 pic.twitter.com/vJlu5CABQ8
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 23, 2025
Visuals from outside the stadium show that Rishabh Pant is been taken to the hospitals for scans.
🚨 BREAKING VISUALS
— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) July 23, 2025
Rishabh Pant being taken to the hospital in an ambulance.@CricSubhayan @RohanDC98 @rohitjuglan @debasissen #RishabhPant #ENGvsIND pic.twitter.com/Bie8a7K8TZ
Pant's latest injury comes just a week after he hurt his finger while keeping in the Lord's Test. While he battled through that blow to score a fighting fifty, this fresh setback could prove harder to overcome.
India are already trailing 2-1 in the five-match series. They now face a major question mark over their most dynamic batter and keeper.
The management will hope the damage is not as bad as it looked but signs suggest Pant may not return soon. Following Pant's departure, Ravindra Jadeja joined Sai Sudharsan at the crease.
The left-hander had already scored a steady half-century and with Jadeja's recent red-ball form, India will bank on the duo to carry the innings forward in the absence of their key middle-order player.